Aristotelian Metaphysics as a Unifying Paradigm for 21st Century Science

Aristotelian Metaphysics as a Unifying Paradigm for 21st Century Science
Author: Jacob Joseph
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2024-02-13
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1527567362

Are there foundational principles that apply to all human knowledge and are accessible to all? Are entities and causes that lie outside the material realm mere myth? How can we remedy the fragmentation of knowledge and the ensuing schism between a perceived scientific elite and non-scientists? Do we have a framework to remedy this situation? This book updates the foundational principles of science laid down by Aristotle in his metaphysics to provide a rational framework and a “common language” for those inside and outside of the modern scientific enterprise. The book demonstrates how Aristotelian metaphysics approaches knowledge in a methodical, unifying, and yet open manner, seeking answers to the question why? and not just to the question how?, and accepting rational answers even if they lie outside the box of material entities and causes. This timely book is both an accessible primer to the foundations of human knowledge and an exhortation for a unified approach to knowledge.

Event Universe

Event Universe
Author: Leemon B. McHenry
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2015-07-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1474404782

Leemon McHenry argues that Whitehead's metaphysics provides a better basis for achieving a unification of physical theory than a traditional substance metaphysics. He investigates the influence of Maxwell's electromagnetic field, Einstein's theory of relativity and quantum mechanics on the development of the ontology of events and compares Whitehead's theory to his contemporaries, C. D. Broad and Bertrand Russell, as well as W. V. Quine. In this way, McHenry defends the naturalised and speculative approach to metaphysics as opposed to analytical and linguistic methods that arose in the 20th century.

From Darwinian Metaphysics Towards Understanding the Evolution of Evolutionary Mechanisms

From Darwinian Metaphysics Towards Understanding the Evolution of Evolutionary Mechanisms
Author: Momme von Sydow
Publisher: Universitätsverlag Göttingen
Total Pages: 502
Release: 2012
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3863950062

"Although Charles Darwin predicted that his theory 'would give zest to ... metaphysics, ' even he would be astonished at the variety of paths his theory has in fact taken. This holds with regard to both gene-Darwinism, a purified Darwinian approach biologizing the social sciences, and process- Darwinism found in the disciplines of psychology, philosophy of science, and economics. Although Darwinism is often linked to highly confirmed biological theories, some of its interpretations seem to profit from tautological claims as well, where scientific reputation cloaks ideological usage. This book discusses central tenets of Darwinism historically as well as systematically, for example the history of different Darwinian paradigms, the units-of-selection debate, and the philosophical problem of induction as basis of metaphysical Darwinism. Crucially the book addresses the Darwinian claim that evolution is governed by an immutable and unrelentingly cruel law of natural selection. Paradoxically, Darwins theory is a static, non-evolutionary theory of evolution. The current book sketches the historical background and provides suggestions that may help to replace this approach by the idea of an evolution of evolutionary mechanisms (see Escher's 'Drawing Hands' on the cover). This view even suggests a tendency to overcome the blindness of the knowledge acquisition of primordial Darwinian processes and allows for some freedom from external environments. This book first develops a radically Darwinian approach, then criticises this approach from within. Even Darwinism has a tendency to transcend itself. Although the book addresses several empirical issues, it does not challenge particular findings. Instead it builds on many insights of Darwinism and provides a proposal for interpreting known empirical evidence in a different light. It should help pave the way for further developing an understanding of nature that transcends Darwinian metaphysics"--Publisher's description.

Every Thing Must Go

Every Thing Must Go
Author: James Ladyman
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2007-07-05
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0191534757

Every Thing Must Go argues that the only kind of metaphysics that can contribute to objective knowledge is one based specifically on contemporary science as it really is, and not on philosophers' a priori intuitions, common sense, or simplifications of science. In addition to showing how recent metaphysics has drifted away from connection with all other serious scholarly inquiry as a result of not heeding this restriction, they demonstrate how to build a metaphysics compatible with current fundamental physics ('ontic structural realism'), which, when combined with their metaphysics of the special sciences ('rainforest realism'), can be used to unify physics with the other sciences without reducing these sciences to physics itself. Taking science metaphysically seriously, Ladyman and Ross argue, means that metaphysicians must abandon the picture of the world as composed of self-subsistent individual objects, and the paradigm of causation as the collision of such objects. Every Thing Must Go also assesses the role of information theory and complex systems theory in attempts to explain the relationship between the special sciences and physics, treading a middle road between the grand synthesis of thermodynamics and information, and eliminativism about information. The consequences of the author's metaphysical theory for central issues in the philosophy of science are explored, including the implications for the realism vs. empiricism debate, the role of causation in scientific explanations, the nature of causation and laws, the status of abstract and virtual objects, and the objective reality of natural kinds.

The Systems View of Life

The Systems View of Life
Author: Fritjof Capra
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 513
Release: 2014-04-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1107011361

The first volume to integrate life's biological, cognitive, social, and ecological dimensions into a single, coherent framework.

Biomedical Photonics Handbook

Biomedical Photonics Handbook
Author: Tuan Vo-Dinh
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1864
Release: 2003-03-26
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0203008995

A wide variety of biomedical photonic technologies have been developed recently for clinical monitoring of early disease states; molecular diagnostics and imaging of physiological parameters; molecular and genetic biomarkers; and detection of the presence of pathological organisms or biochemical species of clinical importance. However, available in

The Unity of Science

The Unity of Science
Author: Rudolf Carnap
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 107
Release: 2013-05-13
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1136654291

As a leading member of the Vienna Circle, Rudolph Carnap's aim was to bring about a "unified science" by applying a method of logical analysis to the empirical data of all the sciences. This work, first published in English in 1934, endeavors to work out a way in which the observation statements required for verification are not private to the observer. The work shows the strong influence of Wittgenstein, Russell, and Frege.

Biomedical Photonics Handbook, 3 Volume Set

Biomedical Photonics Handbook, 3 Volume Set
Author: Tuan Vo-Dinh
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 2465
Release: 2014-07-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1439863199

This handbook presents the most recent technological advances and applications in the areas of biomedical photonics. This second edition contains introductory material and covers the state-of-the-art methods and instrumentation for biomedical photonic technologies. It integrates interdisciplinary research and development critically needed for scientists, engineers, manufacturers, teachers, students, and clinical providers to learn about the most recent advances and predicted trends in instrumentation and methods as well as clinical applications in important areas of biomedical photonics. Extensive references are provided to enhance further study.

Biomedical Photonics Handbook, Second Edition

Biomedical Photonics Handbook, Second Edition
Author: Tuan Vo-Dinh
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 854
Release: 2014-07-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1420085123

Shaped by Quantum Theory, Technology, and the Genomics Revolution The integration of photonics, electronics, biomaterials, and nanotechnology holds great promise for the future of medicine. This topic has recently experienced an explosive growth due to the noninvasive or minimally invasive nature and the cost-effectiveness of photonic modalities in medical diagnostics and therapy. The second edition of the Biomedical Photonics Handbook presents recent fundamental developments as well as important applications of biomedical photonics of interest to scientists, engineers, manufacturers, teachers, students, and clinical providers. The first volume, Fundamentals, Devices, and Techniques, focuses on the fundamentals of biophotonics, optical techniques, and devices. Represents the Collective Work of over 150 Scientists, Engineers, and Clinicians Designed to display the most recent advances in instrumentation and methods, as well as clinical applications in important areas of biomedical photonics to a broad audience, this three-volume handbook provides an inclusive forum that serves as an authoritative reference source for a broad audience involved in the research, teaching, learning, and practice of medical technologies. What’s New in This Edition: A wide variety of photonic biochemical sensing technologies has already been developed for clinical monitoring of physiological parameters, such as blood pressure, blood chemistry, pH, temperature, and the presence of pathological organisms or biochemical species of clinical importance. Advanced photonic detection technologies integrating the latest knowledge of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics allow sensing of early disease states, thus revolutionizing the medicine of the future. Nanobiotechnology has opened new possibilities for detection of biomarkers of disease, imaging single molecules, and in situ diagnostics at the single-cell level. In addition to these state-of-the-art advancements, the second edition contains new topics and chapters including: • Fiber Optic Probe Design • Laser and Optical Radiation Safety • Photothermal Detection • Multidimensional Fluorescence Imaging • Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging • Molecular Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography • Multiscale Photoacoustics • Polarized Light for Medical Diagnostics • Quantitative Diffuse Reflectance Imaging • Interferometric Light Scattering • Nonlinear Interferometric Vibrational Imaging • Multimodality Theranostics Nanoplatforms • Nanoscintillator-Based Therapy • SERS Molecular Sentinel Nanoprobes • Plasmonic Coupling Interference Nanoprobes Comprised of three books: Volume I: Fundamentals, Devices, and Techniques; Volume II: Biomedical Diagnostics; and Volume III: Therapeutics and Advanced Biophotonics, this second edition contains eight sections, and provides introductory material in each chapter. It also includes an overview of the topic, an extensive collection of spectroscopic data, and lists of references for further reading.